Picking an appropriate path through a plethora of opinions can be daunting

FOR several weeks now (and for several weeks still to come) the art work ‘Speedwell’ has been on display shining across the waters of Plymouth Sound.

It consists of three illuminated worlds – No New Worlds – which light in random combination, offering the viewer a variety of words and phrases to contemplate.

We are invited to reflect on the words and comment on the thoughts and feelings that they evoke.

The likelihood is that there will be as many responses as there are people who go out to view the art installation.

For me, the variety of phrases and words creates images of the way information and opinion is thrust at us from many quarters of life.

Politicians debate on our news broadcasts, advertising hoardings shout their messages at us in six foot high letters, and every article on a website invites us to comment.

Pontius Pilate, at the trial of Jesus two thousand years ago, famously asked: “What is truth?”.

I cannot help but wonder in what anguished terms he might ask that question if he were alive today.

Almost 50 years ago, David Cassidy (I am told – I was more a Donny Osmond man in my teenage years) sang: “How can I be sure, in a world that is constantly changing?”.

His words still seem pertinent today. How are we to decide on the difference between veracity and ‘fake news’?

One poster I saw declared: ‘All that matters is you decide for yourself’.

Well, that seems very fair-minded until I wondered what happens when my decision conflicts with my neighbour or, worse, my wife?

The lights of the art installation in Plymouth Sound flash on and off changing constantly but, as I looked on recently, I was reminded of John, writing in the New Testament, saying of Jesus: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness shall never put it out”.

It is the consistency and clarity of the life and teaching of Jesus that, in a confusing and often bewildering world, unable to be extinguished by the winds of community opinion blowing from all directions, keeps me walking in his light.